Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.
Jonathon Porter, of Tulare, has been appointed to the 24th District Agricultural Association Tulare County Fair Board. Porter has been a Risk Management Consultant at Nationwide since 2022 and the Administrator of Machado Dairy & Farming Company Inc. since 2014. He held multiple positions for the County of Tulare from 2020 to 2022, including Agricultural and Standards Inspector at the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office and Administrative Assistant. Porter is a member of the Cabrillo Civics Club of California. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree in Agricultural Business from Quantic School of Business and Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Science from California State University, Fresno. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Porter is registered without party preference.
Joanna Rees, of Healdsburg, has been appointed to the California Workforce Development Board. Rees has been Chairman at West Global since 2023. She was Managing Partner at West Ventures from 2015 to 2023. Rees was Senior Partner at The B Team from 2013 to 2017. She was Managing Partner at Endeavor.Org from 2012 to 2013. Rees was Managing Partner at VSP Capital from 1996 to 2009. She is Board Chair of Illumyn Impact, Member of the Board of Directors for the Representation Project, Endeavor Global, Inception Fertility and FICO, Member of the Board of Advisors at Ramy Brook LLC, and a Henry Crown Fellow at The Aspen Institute, where she also serves as a Senior Moderator. Rees earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Duke University. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Rees is a Democrat.